[BL] Accidentally Becoming the Healer of the Deranged Archduke

The carriage jolted over a stone, nearly sending Xion tumbling from his seat. His shoulder struck the wall, and his head shot upward only to meet something unexpectedly soft on the curved roof.

Strange... Was it always this soft? Xion mused while looking at his surroundings. Then he noticed it, a new layer of something soft that was cushioning him.

Oh, so this was why.

His gaze shifted to the archduke, and an absurd image bloomed in his mind. One where Darius was lounging on a big throne like a spoiled princess, demanding his servants make everything perfect ... even his carriage.

Xion nearly laughed out loud. His lips curled up ever so slightly, easing some of his anxiety.

However, it was not long before his face tensed again. He might have to see Caspian Hale.

Even if Caspian had only hugged him once — and in truth, had saved Xion from crashing to the floor, that did not erase all those horrible memories from his mind.

Caspian was the son of Viscount Hale, a supporter of the crown prince, Isidor Valaria.

Unlike Marquis Roberto, and the three dukes who had their own territories to rule over, the Hale family lived in the capital city.

It made many things easier for Isidor. And difficult for someone helpless like little Xion Vaelis.

The carriage stopped with a jolt, forcing Xion to come back to reality. Darius was the first to leave, and that gave Xion some time to collect himself.

Just as Xion moved to follow, a large hand appeared in front of him.

Xion’s gaze flicked from the offered palm to its owner. Darius wore a faint smile, but there was something smug in his eyes. A glint shone in his pale eyes that told Xion the archduke was enjoying this far more than he should.

He’s teasing me.

Xion’s eyes narrowed slightly before placing his hand on Darius’.

If he wants to act, fine. Let him.

If Xion slipped up, if he embarrassed himself, it was Darius, his nominal fiancé, who’d have to bear the consequences.

With that thought easing his nerves, Xion relaxed his stiff shoulders. He let Darius’ hand steady him as he jumped down.

However, he didn’t let go of the hand even after steadying himself on the ground.

Instead, with a faint smirk, Xion’s fingers tightened around Darius’ palm, giving it a light tug.

I can tease you too... Xion snorted proudly.

Darius’s gaze flicked down to their joined hands.

The archduke was tickled by Xion’s ’retaliation’. If this childish action could even be considered as retaliation in the first place.

Rather than frustration, Darius found Xion’s puffed-up chest and forced bravado unexpectedly endearing.

With his blue eyes glinting smugly, Xion looked so adorable that Darius had the sudden urge to ruffle his hair.

This kitten is getting bold, Darius thought. But then again, when was he not?

Without a word, Darius simply clasped Xion’s smaller hand more firmly and walked forward.

Xion expected him to let go once they reached the corridor, but the archduke held on even as they stood before the Crown Prince.

Isidor Valaria was strolling in the lavish corridors of his grand palace when they met him.

Xion noticed the resemblance of Isidor and Nikolai at a glance.

Albeit curly, it was the same golden hair which shone under the sunlight along with those bright golden eyes narrowing at them in obvious ... something. Something negative.

Xion could not pinpoint exactly what it was, but one thing was sure, the crown prince did not like them, or more likely him.

While Nikolai’s charming smiles masked his thoughtful mind, Isidor did not bother with such pretenses. His gaze felt like an icy blade against Xion’s skin. It was cold and calculating and not in a way that felt good.

He is glaring at me as if I owe him a few million.

Xion mentally moved the crown prince from ’neutral’ to a cautious shade of red.

"Your Grace," Isidor greeted with the same respectful title as Ray, and yet from his mouth, they sounded like a mock greeting. Or maybe with the way Isidor had a lazy lopsided smile on his lips, it really was fake.

And all this while, he directly ignored Xion. Just the sight of those clasped hand burned Isidor’s senses with barely contained rage.

Xion, who was about to bow down, halted "..." Fine then. Have it your way.

Isidor gaze flicked from Darius’ hand still holding Xion’s to Archduke’s face, "It’s good to see you well enough to travel. Though... I wonder if you’re truly in a condition to fulfill your duties as a loyal subject of the Valaria."

The crown prince tilted his head, his curly hair falling to the side, "Perhaps I should step in to take your place if you find it too difficult."

He was just taunting Darius for his flawed health while also trying to provoke him to go to the war.

The archduke, despite being sick, never let anyone see his weakened state. Not that he had the liberty to do so. It was the only way of survival when Darius was just a teenager, and from then onward, it became his habit.

Adn Isidor was using it against Darius like he had always done so.

Showing his best side had become second nature to the archduke just like Xion would subconsciously ignore any negative indication thrown his way. Hence Xion understood it all too well.

His eyes narrowed slightly. He’s mocking Darius...

On the other hand, the Archduke, who had ridiculed the crown prince just a few days ago, remained silent for a second longer and then smiled.

Just that was enough to shake the crown prince. He had never seen Darius smile. To hell with that, no one had!

Regardless of Isidor’s visible stiffness, Darius was at complete ease as if he were on a stroll in his home and it was the crown prince hindering him.

Then, with intentional ease, he slung an arm around Xion’s shoulders, pulling him closer to his body.

"I actually want to go as long as there is even a breath left in this body but..." Darius said with a faint sigh. "But my sweetheart here worries too much. He doesn’t want me to suffer, you see.".

"My dear Xion wouldn’t allow it. He worries too much," Darius’ voice was laced with mock seriousness and the archduke did not even bother to pretend to hide it. "You see, he simply can’t bear to see me suffer."

Darius was just mimicking Isidor’s earlier disrespect. Xion could sense it now. Nonetheless, his words were sharper than mere mockery. There was a hidden dagger in them.

Sure enough, Isidor’s smile faltered, and anger rose in his eyes.

It was faint but enough for Xion to notice.

That sure hit a nerve.

Only later would Xion learn why.

The crown prince once took a liking to a noble lady, but she did not like Isidor’s nature.

Soon she eloped with her lover and that too toward the north.

Even she knew that if there was anyone who could save her and her lover from the claws of the crown prince, it was the archduke of the north.

Darius’ words had cut deeper than they seemed on the surface, just like Isidor.

While Darius was enjoying the way the crown prince’s face crumpled, Xion stood stiff beneath the archduke’s arm.

He was unsure what to do. Pretending to be a wooden post while the heat of Darius’ body seeped into him seemed like the safest option for now. Still, his heart was beating for some weird reason.

And then Xion declared that it was because he was worried about Darius. Yes, that was exactly the reason.

Because... what if Darius’ mana was running rampant and was in pain?

The improved medicine he had given Darius should have helped, but mana was unpredictable after all.

Especially that murky green mana that thrummed under Darius’ veins as if alive.

Worry furrowed Xion’s brow as he reached up and rubbed Darius’ back in slow, careful circles. "Are you all right?" he murmured softly.

Even without knowing, Xion was almost hugging Darius, and to Isidor, that sight of two lovers hugging each other was nothing less than a knife scraping over his chest.

The crown prince could see that the worry in that black-haired young man’s eyes was not false, at least not as faulty as Darius’ blatant lies.

And despite such an obvious acting, Xion was still worrying about Darius.

How infuriating.

Isidor had hated... ah, no. That was not the word to show his intense disgust toward Darius. This devil had taken his woman and hid her from him.

So what if she was already betrothed to someone? What did it have to do with teenager Darius?

He was the happiest when he knew that the archduke was cursed to not have a soulmate.

It felt like even the goddess was taking his side and pushing Darius into hell. But now... where did this bastard of Vaelis family come from?

How dare he show such worry for this devil!

It was not just the crown prince whose heart was in turmoil.

Darius too felt something stirring in his chest. He froze, startled by the unexpected warmth of Xion’s touch.

Something unfamiliar bubbled in his chest, something he couldn’t quite name. Yet...

But whatever it was, he didn’t dislike it.